A Little Friendship… Exploring Australia’s Lakes Entrance & Surviving the Storms

Last updated on August 2, 2025 by Shannon

We pick up the round the world adventures in Bateman’s Bay. I sated my curiosity about Australia’s kangaroos with an easy hike around Murramarang National Park, which ended with me petting some kangaroos on Pebbly Beach (and trying to save my lunch from the huge male kangaroos!).

Other than the kangaroos, there wasn’t a whole lot of options. With that in mind, I scheduled myself on the next bus down the coast and headed toward Merimbula and then onward to the Lakes Entrance to find all there was to do in this small Australian town.

Is the Lakes Entrance Worth Visiting?

The Lakes Entrance in Victoria, Australia, is worth visiting for anyone keen to experience some of Australia’s more pristine natural beauty, where you can also partake in any number of outdoor activities.

Lakes Entrance is the gateway to the Gippsland Lakes, the largest inland network of waterways in Australia, which offers excellent opportunities for boating, kayaking, and fishing.

Besides the lakes, the area boasts a strong seafood culture thanks to its large fishing fleet—the seafood is as fresh as it gets—as well as beautiful beaches like Ninety Mile Beach. Other attractions include the Buchan Caves and various bushwalking trails.

I was a budget backpacker rather than an adventure seeker or foodie (I don’t eat seafood), but I’m always interested in connecting with nature, and that’s something Lakes Entrance excels in offering.

You May Face Bad Weather in Lakes Entrance

As much as I enjoyed Broulee Island and the hostel, visiting Merimbula was a bit of a bust. The bad weather swept through with gusty winds and cold rains, so I caught the Greyhound bus down to Lakes Entrance to wait out the storm with my two German friends, Pauline and Linda.

In retrospect, I should have waited out the storm in Merimbula. My quick three-hour bus ride to Lakes Entrance instead took a very long six-hours. The massive storm came in fast and had knocked numerous trees into the road. We were often just stuck in the bus as rain pelted the windows and we waited for emergency crews to clear the road.

The Lakes Entrance became my hideout from the bad weather, and I was so glad to have made friends by this point. Pauline, Linda, and I decided that the only acceptable way to wait out a storm of this magnitude was with plenty of food and a stack of DVDs.

Unfortunately, we didn’t have any of the above. We packed on the layers—virtually every article of clothing I packed was on my body. (And a hearty thanks for the warm scarf Lisandra! It came in handy.)

Once we were kited out in the our rain gear, we walked 15 minutes into the Lakes Entrance town center. It was drizzling frigid mist into our faces, but the trip was worth it. When we returned, the trip was successful. We had all the fixings for a delicious quiche (which we only slightly burned), mini pies, and a stack of DVDs.

The perfect backpacker activity for passing time? DVDs! Pauline and Linda weren’t traveling with a laptop, so we were thankful for my laptop, which allowed us to huddle on a couch and watch the DVDs we had rented. We opted for a few standbys that we had all seen and loved, as well as some local movies about Australia.

We rented Rabbit Proof Fence, an Aussie movie about what is called the “Stolen Generation”—when the European settlers confiscated Aboriginal children who were mixed with European genes and mainstreamed the children into Western culture. It was a massive debacle that did not bear out well in history.

The Europeans aimed to breed out the Aboriginal genes in these kids by mainstreaming them and then marrying them back into Western (white) society. I have been reading the book, so it was interesting to watch it on-screen. I loved them both and recommend that you read it and watch it too.

The story is a remarkable true story that explained a lot about the process, the impact, and how one set of siblings survived despite the circumstances. There are deep tensions here in Australia. I feel them at odd moments and as an undertone to conversations with locals. Many Aussies I have met don’t have kind things to say about the aboriginals, so it’s important to read widely on the history between the two groups.

The movies worked well to pass the time. We watched Big Fish, Chocolate, and a few others. After about 24 hours, the storm began to clear and we explored the town. There is a pretty 3.5 kilometer coastal walk of Lakes Entrance, and since we were feeling stir-crazy we donned our raincoats and braved the light drizzle.

Why Visit the Lakes Entrance?

The spiel on why you should visit is for the various things to do, but it’s also about the vibes. Lake Entrance is known for its beautiful beaches, fishing, and outdoor recreational activities, such as swimming, surfing, and hiking.

The area is home to the 90 Mile Beach, the Gippsland Lakes, and the Lakes National Park, as well as many cafes, restaurants, and pubs offering a variety of local cuisine and drinks. The area also offers many scenic drives, including the Great Alpine Road, and has a golf club with a challenging 18-hole course.

Overall, Lake Entrance is a great destination for those looking to relax and enjoy the outdoors.

But spiel aside, the Lakes Entrance is truly beautiful. The town is situated on the lakeside and then, just a couple hundred meters over the sand dunes, the ocean waves beat at the shoreline. The gap in the picture is man-made and allows boats to dock in the quiet waters of the lakes rather than the rough ocean.

We were awfully glad to see a bit of sunshine, even if it was still overcast most of the day. The storm had passed and we enjoyed the town. I just have to add, we did, once again, get a little lost.

Our planned walking route hugged the coast for two kilometers and then cut back into town. After about five kilometers of chatting and getting lost in conversation, we realized we had walked too far! We cut inland to a golf course and the extra detour turned out all for the best—I got to see a jumping pillow!

This pillow was just sitting there asking for us to jump. The German girls have these pillows in Germany too, but I’ve never seen anything like it!

We have trampolines with huge nets around them, but never at a public park. Best I can figure is that it’s because the U.S. is so lawsuit happy. I got my jumping on, however, and it was such fun. It was even fun enough to make worthwhile the extra six kilometer walk!

Things to Do in Lakes Entrance, Australia

With better weather and more time, there are a lot more things you can do in Victoria’s gorgeous Lake Entrance region. Here are a few highlights.

Visit the 90 Mile Beach

The 90 Mile Beach is a long stretch of coastline located in eastern Victoria, Australia. It is named for its length, which is approximately 90 miles (145 kilometers). The beach is known for its long, sandy beaches and is a popular spot for swimming, surfing, fishing, and beachcombing.

Explore the Gippsland Lakes

The Gippsland Lakes are a network of interconnected lakes, marshes, and inlets located in eastern Victoria, Australia. The lakes are home to a variety of flora and fauna, including many species of birds, fish, and other wildlife.

There are a variety of activities available on the lakes, including boating, fishing, birdwatching, and simply enjoying the scenic views.

Take a tour of the Lakes National Park

The Lakes National Park is a protected area located in eastern Victoria, Australia. The park is home to a variety of bushland, wetland, and coastal habitats, and is a great place to go hiking, birdwatching, or picnicking. The park is also home to many species of native plants and animals, and is an important habitat for many threatened and endangered species.

Go fishing

Lakes Entrance is known for its excellent fishing, with a variety of species such as bream, flathead, and snapper found in the waters. There are many options for fishing in the area, including hiring a boat or joining a guided fishing tour.

Visit the local markets

The Lakes Entrance market is held on the first Sunday of every month and features a range of stalls selling fresh produce, crafts, and other local products. The market is a great place to find locally-grown produce, handmade crafts, and other unique items.

Enjoy the local food and drink

There are many cafes, restaurants, and pubs in Lake Entrance, offering a variety of cuisines and local beers and wines. The area is known for its seafood, with many restaurants offering dishes made with locally-caught fish and other seafood.

Go golfing

While this isn’t something I would do, if you’re into golfing they you’ll enjoy the Lake Tyers Beach Golf Club, which is located in Lake Entrance and offers a challenging 18-hole course with beautiful views of the lake and the ocean. The club is open to the public and offers a range of facilities, including a pro shop, a practice range, and a club house.

Take a scenic drive

The area around Lake Entrance is home to many beautiful drives, including the Great Alpine Road which takes you through the Victorian Alps and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The Great Alpine Road is a popular destination for those interested in scenic drives, with many winding roads and beautiful vistas along the way.

When to Visit Lakes Entrance, Victoria

The best time to visit Lake Entrance, Australia will depend on your personal preferences and the types of activities you want to do while you’re there. Here are a few things to consider:

Weather

Lake Entrance has a temperate climate, with average temperatures ranging from around 15°C (59°F) in winter to around 25°C (77°F) in summer. The summer months (December to February) are generally the warmest and driest, while the winter months (June to August) are cooler and wetter.

Crowds

Lake Entrance is a popular holiday destination, so the busiest times of year tend to be during school holidays and public holidays. If you prefer to avoid crowds, you may want to visit during the shoulder seasons (spring and autumn) when there are fewer tourists.

Activities

The type of activities you want to do while you’re in Lake Entrance will also influence the best time to visit. For example, if you want to go surfing, the summer months may be the best time to visit as the water is generally warmer and there are more waves. If you want to go fishing, the winter months may be a good time to visit as the waters tend to be calmer and the fish are more active.

Onward Adventures in Merimbula

During these kangaroo and bus ride adventures, I had no idea that a major storm was brewing in northern Victoria, which is precisely the trajectory of my travel route as I head toward Melbourne.

Basing out of Merimbula, I enjoyed a long morning walk on a Broulee Island.  This is a wonderful way to spend the morning. Broulee Island has a four-kilometer beach walk that is serene and quiet.

The word “lovely” sums up my wander through this non touristy beach area. If you’re in Merimbula as well, I recommend you take a bus or a car for a long morning wander that way.

At my hostel, I met two Israeli brothers with a rental car. They invited me along and the morning my bus left, I used the beach as a place for a thoughtful, pretty walk filled with gently lapping waves and squeaking bird life.

The hostel in Merimbula, Wandarrah Lodge, was cute and it’s a solid option in the city. At the time, they didn’t have wi-fi, but they do now. But without wi-fi back in 2008, I was limited in my ability to stay for more than a night. But what a cute spot. One of my favorite hostel environments.

Wild birds frequently visit the hostel porch and they will munch bird seed right out of your hand during breakfast! The birds loved apples and fruit the best, and it was delightful and to start the day with a Rainbow Lorikeet eating from the palm of my hand.